Fourth to samuel a



(No Model.)

W. WALTER. COUPLER FOR MINING CARS.

No. 403,159. V Patented May 14, 1889.

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WILLIAM WALTER, OF GREENSBURG, PENNSYLVANIA, ASSIGNOR OF ONE- FOURTH TO SAMUEL A. OLEMENTS, OF SAME PLACE.

COUPLER FOR MINING-CARS.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 403,159, dated May 14, 1889.

Application filed February 3, 1888. Renewed March 19, 1889. Serial No. 303,944. (No model.)

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that 1, WILLIAM WALTER, a citizen of the United States, residing at Greensburg, in the county of VVestmoreland and State of Pennsylvania, have invented a certain new and useful Improvement in a Mining-Car Coupler or Hitch; and I do hereby declare the following to be a full, clear, and exact description of the invention, such as will enable others skilled in the art to which it pertains to make and use the same, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, which form a part of this specification.

My invention relates to an improvement in a mining-car coupler or hitch; and it consists in a device for preventing the coupling-pins from becoming detached from the draw-heads, which is frequently the case when the cars are traveling about sharp curves or over rough and uneven parts of the track; and with this end in view I provide each pin with one or more automatic working-hooks, which engage with certain portions of the drawheads, as will be fully set forth hereinafter.

In the accompanying drawings, Figure 1 is a side elevation of a clevis provided with my device for locking the coupling-pin to the same. Fig. 2 is an end sectional elevation of the same.

To provide a loose or flexible coupling with my improvement, I provide one or more links, n, of a stout chain and secure to each end of the same a clevis, 0, which differs from those now in common use by having an extra bar, p, formed integral with the body of the clevis 0 and arranged above the same. Through these three bars 19 q of the clevis 0 are circular openings,through which the coupling-pin r is passed, a connecting bar, .9, joining the end of the top bar, 19, with the extremity of that q immediately below, which serves to strengthen the two bars 1) q. The coupling-pin rused with this clevis 0 consists of a round bar enlarged at the top, in order to provide the same with two broad flat parallel flanges, 25, between which is arranged on suitable pivots, to, two levers, 1;, each provided at the lower end with a hook, w, which, when the pin '1" is in position, engages with the under surface of the top bar, 19, of the clevis. The upper extremities of these levers 1; when brought together disengage the hooks w from the bar 19 and allow the pin 0 to be lifted out of the clevis 0. A spiral spring, on,

connecting the two levers 'v together below their pivotal points, serves to retain the same in a proper position. This spring w may be d1spensed with, if desired. The levers 11 when made of metal will assume the desired position by gravity. A small bar, y, arranged between the two levers 1), will compel the hooks to to revolve away from the pin 7' when desired.

Having thus described my invention,whatl claim, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, 1s-- 1. In a flexible or loose coupler, the clevis 0, provided with an extra bar, 19, the coupl ngpin r, having secured in suitable bearlngs two levers, 1), each provided with a hook, w, adapted to engage with the under surface of the top bar, p, of the clevis.

2. In a flexible or loose coupling such as described, the clevis 0, provided with an extra bar, 19, as and for the purpose described 3. In a coupling such as described, the clev1s 0, provided with an extra bar, p, and connecting-bar s, substantially as descrlbed.

4. A coupling-pin consisting of the pin 7, having secured in suitable bearings at the top two levers, o, each provided wlth a hook, 111, capable of moving toward or away from the body of the pin 4".

5. A coupling-pin for the purpose set forth, consisting of the pin r, having secured in sultable bearings at the top of the same two levers, o, each provided with a hook, w, capable of moving toward or away from the body of the pin r, and a spring, or, connecting the two levers v together, as and for the purpose set forth. I

6. In aloose coupling such as described, the combination consisting of the clevis 0, provided'with an extra bar, 19, and connectingbar 3, the pin 7", having two parallel flanges, t, formed on the top of the same, the levers v, each provided at their lower extremities with hooks w, the spring so, connecting the two levers o together, and the small bar 1 arranged between the same, substantially as set forth and described.

In testimony that I claim the foregoing I hereunto aflix my signature this 1st day of February, A. D. 1888.

WVILLIAM WALTER. [L. s.]

In presence of- A. J. NoLY, W. L. GEORGE. 

